Cure Kids Adventure Race Raises Over $373,000

Cure Kids Great Adventure Race Raises Over $373,000 For Medical Research Into Children’s Life Threatening Illnesses

Fonterra Flyers achieved its goal of winning the North Island Cure Kids Great Adventure Race for the third consecutive year, on a new and challenging course in the Hunua Ranges on April 3, in an event which raised just over $373,000 for research into children’s life threatening illnesses.

Twenty nine corporate teams competed in the annual event which was held for the first time in the Hunua Range Regional Park and adjoining private land,
starting at the Upper Mangatawhiri Dam and incorporating running and trekking, a mandatory swimming section in the Mangatawhiri River, steep off road mountain biking and navigating.

Race Director Alan Nelson says the event was held in excellent conditions and the teams with the best navigational skills had the edge.

“Within the first 15 minutes of the start all the teams except for one became lost looking for the second checkpoint. This certainly indicated very early on the navigational challenges that lay ahead for them.”

For the first time in any of the nine Cure Kids Great Adventure Races, held in both the North and South Islands, a mandatory swim was included.

“There were three reasonable swimming sections up the gorge in the Mangatawhiri River,” says Nelson. “There were certainly some mixed feelings about this infamous water section but for many of the competitors it was the highlight.”

He says the course involved some “tricky bush travel” on foot and on mountain bikes, and a final off road bush trek was “the sting in the tail.”

“Teams could see the finish line and thought the race was over, but there was still quite a tough last trek to complete, before they made it to the finish back at the Upper Mangatawhiri Dam.”

Nelson was pleased with the way teams handled the course, and was particularly impressed with the challenge for the lead made by the Cisco Systems Ltd team, Get Routed for the Final Time.

Fonterra Flyers, representing Fonterra Co-operative Group, crossed the finish in 5hours 10mins while Cisco was 21 minutes behind.

“Cisco has competed in the event for the past six years and in the second year became hopelessly lost,” says Nelson. “But they have been dedicated, under the leadership of Jen Rutherford, and every year their performance has improved. To see them come in second place was fantastic.”

Fonterra Flyers captain Hamish Keston says his team was pleased to win for the third time on the challenging course.

“The swim, in a very cold river, took the race a step up and overall it was a harder race this year, being both physically and mentally demanding. It’s the first time it’s been so tough mentally and definitely there were a few navigational tricks.”

Third place went to the Goldman Sachs JB Were team, To Be Advised, in 5hours 46mins. The company entered for the first time, with three teams, and won the Champion Fundraising Trophy raising $48,000. Ciscos was runner up raising $37,000 while Arnott’s Campbell’s was third achieving $22,750.

“These are outstanding amounts and we are so delighted to have new teams participating along with returning teams in the Cure Kids Great Adventure Race,” says Event Manager Pip Martin. “We appreciate that the economic climate is difficult and to raise $373,058 is fantastic.”

Team BNZ which entered for the first time this year finished fourth overall in 6hours 21 mins and was fourth highest fundraiser.

Ms Martin says there were some emotional moments. “Probably nothing quite brought it home to the competitors as much as seeing Tim Slyfield, competing in the OCG Consulting team, being met by his three-year-old son James who is currently undergoing treatment for leukaemia,” says Ms Martin. “Watching young James on the finish line with his banner reinforced for everyone why they were competing and raising funds for Cure Kids.”

Eleven-year-old Cure Kids ambassador Sam Stevens of Auckland, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, spoke on behalf of all the ambassadors at the prize giving thanking the teams for competing to help improve their lives.

The on going support from Search and Rescue and Mountain Safety Council personnel as well as St John ambulance staff was highlighted.

“We cannot run this event without their amazing commitment. Every year they return and assist with the running of the Cure Kids Great Adventure Race,” says Ms Martin, “and we are indebted to them for that support.”

ENDS

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